Apparatus for the continuous cutting of building blocks from a fibrous mixture



3,269,237 ING G. J. VAN ELTEN APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS CUTTING OF BUILD Filed March 13, 1962 BLOCKS FROM A FIBROUS MIXTURE l 9 m ..lv 9 9 on m: m 2 9 m 0E W Wm w x .mr .W No;

I I II N a M i 1 1 z 0., N w m W W #1 :1 W. 3 a a W: INN! Q. l w PNII fl w A aw g 3 United States Patent 11 Claims. bi. ss-ize This invention relates to an apparatus for continuously manufacturing light weight building boards.

My co-pending patent application, Serial No. 818,171 filed June 4, 1959, now Patent No. 3,096,227, describes an apparatus for manufacturing light weight building boards of wood wool fibers mixed with a binder, such as cement or magnesite. The fibrous raw material is placed in forms which are continuously moved. These forms are mostly of plywood or steel and are moved one closely behind the other, so that the rear surface of one form contacts the front surface of the following form. The forms may consist of a base plate having longitudinal rims firmly connected to the bottom of the plate and constituting side edges limiting the fiber-receiving surface of the plate. According to a different embodiment the form may consist of a plate board without any side edges, and in that case separate subsequently applied rim elements are used to define the sides of the building board being manufactured. The building boards are thus manufactured in a continuous operation.

During the construction of this apparatus particular difficulties were experienced with the provision of means which would effectively cut the fibrous mixture at the places of contact of the individual forms. It was found that such means must comply with the following requirements:

(1) The forms should not be pushed away from each other during the cutting, since otherwise the thickness of the plate-carried fibrous mixture may be diminished adjacent the cut.

(2) The cut must take place precisely at the location where one form contacts the other, since otherwise the boards will not be of uniform length and fibers may extend out of the form during the immediately following compression.

(3) The forms should not be damaged by the cutting saw.

(4) The cutting device should be adapted to the continuous manufacture of boards, so as to attain a great efficiency of production.

(5) The cutting device must operate automatically and be completely safe, so that it will not make incorrect cuts through the forms.

(6) The operation of the cutting device must not take place when the forms are not precisely in engagement one with the other, and the feed of the forms must then be switched off. There must be no cutting when at the point of contact the forms are piled one on top of the other, or when they are spaced apart.

(7) It should be possible to cut boards of any length, including boards of alternately varying lengths, and at varying speeds without changing the feed or the construction of the device.

Devices known in prior art do not fulfill these requirements or fulfill them only incompletely.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a device which will fulfill all the above-mentioned requirements and which will avoid the drawbacks of prior art devices.

Other objects will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

An important feature of the present invention consists in the coupling of the cutting device with the continuously movable forms, the forms being provided with means centering the cutting device at the place of contact of the individual forms. Thus the cutting device is moved along with the continuously movable forms during the cutting operation and is so guided that the cut takes place precisely at the place of contact of the individual forms. The feed of the forms does not have to be interrupted during the cutting operation, and no incorrect cuts can take place which may damage the forms.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the longitudinal edges of the forms areprovided with recesses which are disposed symmetrically to the place of contact of the forms and which are engaged by the arms of a movably mounted frame. carrying the cutting saw; thus the cutting device is taken along by the movable forms and the cut takes place precisely at the place of contact of the forms. The centering device is preferably coupled with an electrical switching device which imparts to the cutter a movement transversely to the feed of the forms as soon as the arms of the cuttercarrying frame engage the grooves of the forms. It is advantageous to provide a continuously operating motor for the cutting saw.

This operation of the cutting device provides a completely automatic and precise cutting of the individual plate-carried boards, whereby it is not necessary to interrupt the feed of the forms during the cutting.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing only by way of example and somewhat diagrammatically, preferred embodiments of the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view showing the fiber-carrying forms.

FIGURE 2 is a section along the line II-II of FIG- URE 3, some parts being shown in front elevation.

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the cutting device.

FIGURE 4 is a side view of a somewhat differently constructed. cutting device.

FIGURE 5 is a front view illustrating some of the details of the device shown in FIG. 4.

The apparatus shown in FIGURES l to 3 comprises a plurality of parallel alined rollers 1 constituting a rolling support for rectangular forms 2 made of plywood, steel or wood boards. A drive not shown in the drawings moves the forms 2 upon the rollers 1 in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 3. The forms are placed end to end, so that the adjacent ends of the forms 2 are in contact with each other, as indicated at 3 in FIG. 1. The longitudinal edges of the forms 2 are provided with rims 4 which are somewhat shorter than the bottom portions of the forms, so that when the forms 2 are in contact with each other, spaces 5 are formed between the rims 4 of two adjacent forms. In the embodiment illustrated the rims 4 of each form are also provided with four semicylindrical recesses 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d which are located adjacent the spaces 5 and which constitute four centering locations lying symmetrically to the places of contact 3 of the forms.

Wood wool mixed with a binder, such as cement, is applied uniformly upon the forms 2 by any suitable means, such as the device described in detail in my aforesaid patent application. At that part of the board manufacturing apparatus wherein the wood wool which consists of a continuous fleece, is to be cut into lengths equal to that of the forms 2, there are provided two fixed parallel horizontal longitudinal rails 7 extending above the forms, while two parallel perpendicular transverse rails 8 are located below the rails 7. The rails 8 extend on both sides beyond the forms 2 and are carried by a frame 9 which is mova'bly mounted upon the longitudinal rails 7 by means of rollers 10. A slide 29 is movably mounted upon the transverse rails 8 'by means of rollers 27. An electromotor 11 and a circular saw 12 which is coupled therewith by a belt drive or the like, are fixed to the underside of the slide 29. A threaded sleeve 30 is connected to the slide 29 and engages a spindle 28 provided with corresponding screw threads. The spindle 28 is coupled with a reversible electromotor 25 which is mounted upon one end of the transverse rails 8.

It is thus apparent that by operating the motor 25 the slide 29 carrying the circular saw 12 is reciprocated transversely to the feed of the forms 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, vertical feeler arms 13a, 13b and 13c, 13d are swingably connected in pairs to the frame 9 on opposite sides of the forms 2, and the lower ends of these arms carry rollers 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d, respectively. These rollers touch the outer surfaces of the longitudinal rims 4 and can be inserted into their recesses fizz-6d, since the feeler arms 13a-13d are spaced to the same extent as the corresponding recesses 6a-6d of the rims 4.

The feeler arms 13a, 13b and 13c, 13d are fixed to horizontal shafts 15a, 15b, respectively; the shafts 15a, 15b, are rotatably mounted in the frame 9. A horizontal lever 16a is fixed to the shaft 15a and a horizontal lever 16b is fixed to the shaft 15b; The two levers 16a, 16b face each other at a vertical plane extending through the center of the forms 2 and at that location they are swingably connected with each other 'by a coupling 17 which is engaged by a strong draw spring 18 attached to the frame 9.

The operation is as follows:

The force of the spring 18 is transmitted through the levers 16a, 16b to the feeler arms 13a, 13b, and 13c, 13d, respectively, so that their rollers 14a, 14b and 14c, 14d, respectively, engage forcefully the edge rims 4. As soon as the forms 2 moving upon the rollers 1 reach the cutting position, the rollers 14a-14d move into the corresponding recesses 6a6d of the edge rims 4. However, since all the rollers 14a14d are coupled with each other, the frame 9 carried by the longitudinal rails 7, can be taken along by the moving forms 2 only when all four rollers 14a14d are located in the cor-responding recesses 6a6d of the edge rims 4.

The engagement of all the rollers 14a-14d with their recesses is actuated by an adjustable switch 19 which is carried by the frame 9 and which is included in the electrical circuit of the driving motor which causes the transverse movement of the slide 29 carrying the circular saw 12. The contacts of the switch 19 can close, and the motor 25 can be switched on only when the levers 16a and 16b are completely swung upwardly about their shafts 15a, 15b after the insertion of the rollers Pia-14d into the recesses 6a-6d of the edge rims 4 has been completed.

Thus after all the rollers 14a-14d have been properly fitted in the recesses 6a-6d of the edge rim-s 4, the motor 25 which moves transversely the circular saw 12, is switched on, and the saw driven by the motor 11 makes a cut precisely at the place of contact 3, whereby cutting off the material of the individual building boards.

If not all four rollers 14a-14d are, located in their corresponding recesses 6a-6d of the edge rims 4, then the switch 19 will not switch on the mot-or 25 for the transverse movement of the saw, whereupon the feed of the forms 2 will be switched off. Then the location of the forms can be adjusted by an operator.

The rollers 14a 14d engaging into the recesses provide a connection of the frame 9 with the forms 2, so that the frame 9 moves in the longitudinal direction along with the forms during the cutting; thus the feed of the forms ,does not haveto be interrupted. The cut is always made compressing the fleece.

precisely at the place of contact of the forms and any possibility of damage to the forms is completely avoided, particularly since the circular saw 11 is only operative when the forms 2 are properly located one 'behind the other at their places of contact.

After the cutting operation is completed, the motor 25 is reversed. The springs 18 cease to be tensioned and the arms 13a, 13b open and release the forms 2, so that the slide 29 carrying the rotary saw 12 can move back to its initial position by means of a spring or counter- Weight (not shown). Then the frame '9 is back to its initial position.

The circular saw 12 is so placed that its cutting edges reach only the upper surfaces of the forms 2 at the place of contact 3; thus the forms are not cut in the course of the cutting. However, a slight cut in the forms 2 at the place of contact will not appreciably damage the forms. Since the edge rims 4 are somewhat shorter than the bottom portions of the forms 2, the cutting edges of the saw can pass conveniently through the slots 5.

In order to provide a clean cut, it is advisable to subject the fibrous material to pressure adjacent the place of contact 3 by horizontal rods 20 placed in that location, as shown in FIG. 2. The rods 20 may be coupled with a magnet 26 or the like, which is switched on during the cutting operation and which presses them against the fibrous material located in the forms 2.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 shows that the precise centering of the cutting saw makes it possible to provide a double cut at the place of contact. In that case the rotary saw is constituted by two saw blades 21, while several rods 20 are located between the saw blades for A strip 22 which is cut by the two saw blades 21 is located always at the same place and is removed after the cutting so as to be brought back to the distributing machine, where it is mixed with the other material and again delivered to the forms. The cut out strip 22 is replaced in the forms by two head rims (not shown) which, when the strip 22 has, for example, the width of 16 cm., have the width of 10 cm. each, so that the boards can be compressed at each front side to the extent of 2 cm. when they have been introduced into a four sided press after the cutting operation. This improves the nail holding capacity of their front ends.

FIGURE 5 shows that one or two strippers 23 are located upon the slide 29 in front of the two saw blades 21, in the transverse direction; the stripper or strippers are swingable about a horizontal axle 24 and when the saw 21 moves rea-rwardly, they pick up the cut out strip 22 and withdraw it from the form.

The described cutting device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention was found to be most effective in actual practice and to comply with all possible requirements. Of particular advantage is the fact that the forms can be transported by a simple set of rollers. It is not necessary to use a chain drive with followers and stops, so that the device is of a very simple and operationally safe construction. The forms are not damaged after millions of saw cutting operations, while the device continues to operate prefectly. Incorrect cuts are effectively avoided.

It is apparent that the examples shown above have been given solely by way of illustration and not by way of limitation and that they are subject to many variations and modifications within the scope of the present invention. All such variations and modifications are to be included within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for the continuous cutting of light weight building blocks of uniform length from wood wool mixed with a binder, a plurality of plate-like forms for carrying the mixture of wood wool and binder, said forms being located end to end and movable in one direction, rims carried by said forms on opposite longitudinal sides thereof, said rims terminating short of the ends of the forms, a saw for cutting said mixture along the line of contact of adjacent forms, means supporting said saw for movement in a direction parallel to said line of contact, means supporting the first-mentioned means for movement in the direction of movement of said forms, and means connected with the second-mentioned means and adapted to engage opposite rims of a form to cause said saw to move with said forms, the last-mentioned means being adapted to center said saw relatively to said line of contact.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, comprising rollers supporting said forms along the path of movement of said forms.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, comprising means compressing said mixture adjacent said line of contact.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein the last-mentioned means comprise rods and magnetic means actuating said rods.

5. In an apparatus for the continuous cutting of light weight building blocks of uniform length from wood wool mixed with a binder, a plurality of plate-like forms for carrying the mixture of wood wool and binder, said forms being located end to end and movable in one direction, rims carried by said forms on opposite longitudinal sides thereof, said rims terminating short of the ends of the forms, a saw for cutting said mixture along the line of contact of adjacent forms, means supporting said saw for movement in a direction parallel to said line of contact, means supporting the first-mentioned means for movement in the direction of movement of said forms, the rims of each form having recesses located symmetrically to said line of contact, feeler arms, and means swingably connecting said feeler arms with the second-mentioned means for the insertion of ends of said feeler arms into said recesses to move said saw along with said forms and to center said saw relatively to said line of contact.

6. In an apparatus for the continuous cutting of light weight building blocks of uniform length from wood wool mixed with a binder, a plurality of plate-like forms for carrying the mixture of wood wool and binder, said forms being located end to end and movable in one direction, rims carried by said forms on opposite longitudinal sides thereof, said rims terminating short of the ends of the forms, a saw for cutting said mixture along the line of contact of adjacent forms, rails extending in the direction of movement of said forms, a frame mounted upon said rails and movable thereon, other rails carried by said frame and extending in a direction parallel to said line of contact, said saw being mounted upon the secondmentioned rails and movable thereon, and means connected with said frame ad adapted to engage opposite rims of a form to cause said frame to move with said forms, said means being adapted to center said saw relatively to said line of contact.

7. In an apparatus for the continuous cutting of light weight building blocks of uniform length from wood wool mixed with a binder, a plurality of plate-like forms for carrying the mixture of wood wool and binder, said forms being located end to end and movable in one direction, rims carried by said forms on opposite longitudinal sides thereof, said rims terminating short of the ends of the forms, a saw for cutting said mixture along the line of contact of adjacent forms, rails extending in the direction of movement of said forms, a frame mounted upon said rails and movable thereon, other rails carried by said frame and extending in a direction parallel to said line of contact, said saw being mounted upon the secondmentioned rails and movable thereon, feeler arms swingably carried by said frame and having ends adapted to engage opposed rims of a form and to center said saw relatively to said line of contact, and resilient means connected with said feeler arms for pressing said feeler arms against a form.

8. In an apparatus for the continuous cutting of light weight building blocks of uniform length from wood wool mixed with a binder, a plurality of plate-like forms for carrying the mixture of wood wool and binder, said forms being located end to end and movable in one direction, rims carried by said forms on opposite longitudinal sides thereof, said rims terminating short of the ends of the forms, a saw for cutting said mixture along the line of contact of adjacent forms, rails extending in the direction of movement of said forms, a frame mounted upon said rails and movable thereon, other rails carried by said frame and extending in a direction parallel to said line of contact, said saw being mounted upon the second mentioned rails and movable thereon, vertical feeler arms swingably carried by said frame and having ends adapted to engage opposed rims of a form and to center said saw relatively to said line of contact, horizontal levers firmly connected with said feeler arms, and a spring connected with said levers for pressing said feeler arms against a form.

9. In an apparatus for the continuous cutting of light weight building blocks of uniform length from wood wool mixed with a binder, a plurality of plate-like forms for carrying the mixture of wood wool and binder, said forms being located end to end and movable in one direction, rims carried by said forms on opposite longitudinal sides thereof, said rims terminating short of the ends of the forms, a saw for cutting said mixture along the line of contact of adjacent forms, rails extending in the direction of movement of said forms, a frame mounted upon said rails and movable thereon, other rails carried by said frame and extending in a direction parallel to said line of contact, the rims of each form having recesses located symmetrically to said 'line of contact, feeler arms swingably carried by said frame and having ends adapted to engage said recesses, said saw being mounted upon the second-mentioned rails and movable thereon, the insertion of said feeler arms into said recesses causing said frame to move with said forms and centering said saw relatively to said line of contact, an electrical driving motor mounted upon the second-mentioned rails, means connecting said motor with said saw for moving said saw along the second-mentioned rails, and electrical switching means connected with said motor for actuating said motor when all feeler arms are located in the recesses.

10. In an apparatus for the continuous cutting of light weight building blocks of uniform length from wood wool mixed with a binder, a plurality of plate-like forms for carrying the mixture of wood wool and binder, said forms being located end to end and movable in one direction, a saw for cutting said mixture along the line of contact of adjacent forms, means supporting said saw for movement in a direction parallel to said line of contact, means supporting the first-mentioned means for movement in the direction of movement of said forms, and means connected with the second-mentioned means and adapted to engage opposite longitudinal sides of said forms to cause said saw to move with said forms, the lastmentioned means being adapted to center said saw relatively to said line of contact.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein said saw comprises two parallel cutting blades, and wherein the first-mentioned means comprise rails and a slide carrying said saw and slidably mounted upon said rails, said apparatus further comprising a stripper swingable mounted upon said slide for removing a strip cut by the two blades during a return movement of the saw.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,538,972 1/1951 Magnani 156375 2,923,030 2/1960 I-Iimmelheber et al. 3,057,022 10/1962 Bar et a1 156369 EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

R. J. CARLSON, J. MATHEWS, Assistant Examiners.- 

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS CUTTING OF LIGHT WEIGHT BUILDING BLOCKS OF UNIFORM LENGTH FROM WOOD WOOL MIXED WITH A BINDER, A PLURALITY OF PLATE-LIKE FORMS FOR CARRYING THE MIXTURE OF WOOD WOOL AND BINDER, SAID FORMS BEING LOCATED END TO END AND MOVABLE IN ONE DIRECTION, RIMS CARRIED BY SAID FORMS ON OPPOSITE LONGITUDINAL SIDES THEREOF, SAID RIMS TERMINATING SHORT OF THE ENDS OF THE FORMS, A SAW FOR CUTTING SAID MIXTURE ALONG THE LINE OF CONTACT OF ADJACENT FORMS, MEANS SUPPORTING SAID SAW FOR MOVEMENT IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO SAID LINE OF CONTACT, MEANS SUPPORTING THE FIRST-MENTIONED MEANS FOR MOVEMENT IN THE DIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID FORMS, AND MEANS CONNECTED WITH THE SECOND-MENTIONED MEANS AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE OPPOSITE RIMS OF A FORM TO CAUSE SAID SAW TO MOVE WITH SAID FORMS, THE LAST-MENTIONED MEANS BEING ADAPTED TO CENTER SAID SAW RELATIVELY TO SAID LINE OF CONTACT. 